CLEVEDON Town started the season under the new management partnership of ex-Bristol City pros Micky Bell and Keith Welch.

CLEVEDON Town started the season under the new management partnership of ex-Bristol City pros Micky Bell and Keith Welch.

Typical of non-league club football in these testing financial times they were faced with stringent budget restraints, but set about re-shaping a squad of players that was locally based and committed.

The currently assembled squad are young, but what they lack in experience at Southern League level, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and a philosophy to play attacking football which is pleasing to the eye. Micky and Keith have never wavered in that philosophy and see it very much as work in progress for a highly talented group of players that have gelled as a unit as the season has progressed.

The pre-season went well with excellent performances against Swansea City, Exeter City, Hillingdon Borough and a Bristol City academy side. The league has not gone so well and the team has not been able to close down matches often conceding valuable points in the latter stages of games where three points were there for the taking.

Home form in particular will need improving but aspirations are high at the club for a successful season and all are confident that the results will come.

The manager has added strength to the squad where necessary and has made a number of excellent signings over the first half of the season which have provided cover where required. He has also secured important loan transfers from Bristol City, who have not only shown their class but have raised the bar for all to see encouraging a healthy competition for places.

In cup competitions, Clevedon have done well with a good FA Cup run with a 6-0 win at Bridport, a 4-2 win at Torpoint and a 2-1 win at Guildford City, before drawing a third round qualifying rare home tie to Blue Square Conference side Eastleigh, where the visitors’ experience told and Clevedon were defeated 5-0.

In the Red Insure Cup, Clevedon have progressed and defeated Almondsbury Town 4-0 and Premier League side Tiverton Town 3-0. The third round ties have yet to be drawn and although a cup run is good for morale, the emphasis must be on improved league performances.

The weather has closed the league programme over the last few weeks for Clevedon as with others, but all at the club are looking forward to the re-start hopefully over a busy holiday period.